Recent Posts

Handwashing: The greatest medical invention of all time

Posted on October 15, 2012 by James Addis in Causes

Today, believe it or not, is Global Handwashing Day. I appreciate there are a ton of these kinds of days, and it’s sometimes tough to get excited about them all. So far this month we’ve had World Habitat Day, International Day of Older Persons, International Day of Non-Violence, World Teachers Day, World Post Day, World Mental Health Day, International Day of the Girl Child, World Sight Day, International Day for Disaster Reduction, and International Day of Rural Women. Phew! What a list — and we’re only halfway through the month. One would have to be a saint to get passionate about them all. On the other hand, commemorative days can focus attention on what might easily be a vital yet...

Q&A with an [almost] child bride

Posted on October 12, 2012 by Lipy Mary Rodrigues in Advocacy

Shapla in Bangladesh was devastated when her parents arranged a marriage that would force her to drop out of school. But thanks to World Vision, when Shapla told her friends about her situation, they knew what to do. Shapla’s friends had completed a life-skills education course, and they were able to contact community leaders, who advocated for Shapla. Read on to learn how Shapla escaped what she calls the “cave of death” — and how her story represents World Vision’s efforts to create futures of dignity and hope for girls and women....

A girl’s journey from brick factory worker to outstanding student

Posted on October 11, 2012 by Guest blogger in Advocacy

Today has been declared by the United Nations as the International day of the Girl. To commemorate this day, we’re asking you to advocate on behalf of girls like Keota in Cambodia. A brick factory is no place for an 11-year-old girl. But each day, Keota would spend hours stacking heavy bricks in a dusty, dangerous workplace to supplement her parents’ meager income. Now, thanks to World Vision, Keota is back in school, earning good grades and helping her little sisters with their studies....

New wheels get Gracious back to the classroom

Posted on October 10, 2012 by Collins Kaumba in Advocacy

Thursday is the first-ever International Day of the Girl. To commemorate this event, we’re spending several days highlighting issues faced by girls who live in poverty around the world, such as early marriage and vicious exploitation. We’re also talking about how access to an education can equip girls to live full lives and reach their God-given potential. The story of Gracious illustrates just that. This 14-year-old girl has a passion for learning that has stopped at nothing — even when her life was turned upside-down by an unforeseen tragedy....

When girls pay a terrible price for living in poverty

Posted on October 9, 2012 by Ratana Lay in Advocacy, Causes

The United Nations has declared October 11 as International Day of the Girl. As illustrated by the tragic story of Mao* in Cambodia, extreme poverty often prevents girls from getting an education and leaves them vulnerable to the worst kinds of exploitation. World Vision works globally to help change this reality — and to empower girls and women to reach their full, God-given potential....